Onion Bag Awards 2013-14

Sometimes a ground exceeds all expectations and for me Ashby Avenue did just that. It had never been on my radar or my 'grounds to visit' list and i dont know why i really decided to come here, but boy i am so glad i did for this place is a hidden gem.My
day started with a wander around Lincoln culminating with a visit to
the magnificent Cathedral. However in order to reach the Cathedral i was
unaware that one needed the aerobic capacity of a Nepalese Sherpa, so
steep was the climb.

All four sides have cover with a somewhat eclectic mix of
structures. Surrounded by high trees behind the Cricket Club the setting
is most pleasant.

However the highlight of the visit for me was the welcome given by every
member of Staff at Lincoln United. Each to a man (and Woman) they were
superb and could not do enough for the Visitor. They made me feel at home immediately upon arrival and their warmth and genuine smiles never let up the whole afternoon. It was simply superb.

2nd Place

Horden Colliery Welfare Wearside League

I struggled to get the car door open upon
arrival in County Durham outside Horden Colliery Welfare as the
biting wind was so strong. Suddenly I heard a voice “Welcome, ya
wanna cup o' tea ?” It was the Manager calling me from top of his ladder
whilst putting the nets up. What a great welcome ? And it got even
better as he gave a personal tour and then invited me out down the road at the nearby cafe for a
bacon and sausage sandwich !.Manager Keith is a top guy with a great
attitude and a thick Geordie accent.

My visit to Horden will live long in the memory not for the game itself but for the genuinely warm hearted people that my visit so wonderful. Genuine down to earth people where football is a religion. But what impressed me most was their willingness to share what they have and what they are proud off and a place they are proud call their home. Just try and stop me going back at the first opportunity !

Upon
arrival on Wearside I was greeted with beautiful autumn sunshine. But
the chilly wind reminded me where i actually was.I was reassured with
the knowledge that Welfare Park spectators could treat themselves to
a panoramic, picture postcard vista of the Durham coastline and the
North Sea should the standard of football slip.

Today's competition
was the beautifully named Wearside Shipowners Cup.The
hard working, multi-tasking and loyal Staff somehow keep this club a
float often performing a thankless task. When I arrived today the
wrinkly's were already in action on the adjoining pitch in the
Welfare Park. Moments later the committee were cleaning out the
changing rooms in preparation for the first teams arrival in a few
minutes, reminiscent of an airline cleaning staff turning around a
jumbo jet at Heathrow airport.

The football ground is lovingly
maintained, the terraces along the nearside smart and neat, an
immaculate small seated stand. The well run tea bar must have one of
the finest views from their serving window of any sports stadia in
the country. There is nothing fancy here in every respect. But what they do have is well used and well loved. I also loved the place and is one of my all time favourites and if you go you will understand exactly what i mean !

Some grounds just reek history , and Millfields, home of Crook Town
is one one of them. In fact it hit me in the face as soon as I
reached the top of the steps and the two iconic stands first came into view. You could just feel what it had been like when 17,000+
crowd crammed in to watch a cup tie.The place is superb albeit a little frayed at the edges. There is talk
of them moving very soon, let us hope it is just that ..... talk, as the
place is a historic gem and a must visit for any football lover.

A few years ago I was in Harwich on
business and when I asked the hotel receptionist what the best thingabout Harwich was , without even looking up from her What's On TV
magazine she replied “the road out”.However after my visitI know she was wrongas the road in brings you to the Royal Oak ,
home of Harwich & Parkeston FC.As you enter through the turnstile you
enter a whole new world. Like a precious stone on a jewellers cloth a
new 'gem' sparkling in the summer sunshine, unfolds before your very
eyes.The Imposing Main stand is simply
superb. Showing more decay than in a dental practice , with its
missing or broken seats, the bird droppings, the graffiti and
greenery that would have Percy Thrower turning in his grave. You can
not help but love this place and it is true what they say …. The
Only Way is Essex!

Most Disappointing Ground Visited

Bentley Colliery

Drab , dirty, impersonal - say no more

Best Food Served

WINNER

Goole

This was the 'Daddy' of them all ! Homemade chunks of tender steak gently simmered in a rich gravy complimented by superb crisp puff pastry, with chips, mushy peas, extra gravy and mintsauce. My only advice is to get to the ground early on matchday because if you dont you will miss out !

Runners Up

Glossop North End

Succulent tender pieces of Steak and Kidney in a delicious gravy wrapped in perfectly cooked pastry make this sumptious culinary experience.The meat and potato pie is equally enjoyable , i know because i sampled both and took an extra home with me as these "little beauties" were that good.

Special Mentions for

Bacup & Rossendale

Winner for the last two seasons the Bacup Pie is one of my favourites and i always go back for second helpings. Debbie does a great job and puts lot of effort into making it and her efforts are much appreciated by many on matchday.

Tadcaster Albion

Hot Roast Pork Bap freshly carved before your very eyes served with apple sauce and delicious stuffing made this a most enjoyable feast.

Worst Food ServedWINNERCammell Laird FC

The sausage rolls served were tasteless and the smallest known to man.

Measurement was approx 1-2 inches and they were very 'ambitiously' priced !

Best Match of the Season

WINNER

Bamber Bridge 2 Ramsbottom 3(aet)

NPL Div One - Play Off Final

This was a rip roaring Lancashire 'hotpot' Derby and had everything from end to end action, goals galore, flares, world class flying finger tip saves , injury time penalties, and a bumper crowd at a gem of a non league ground. The best match was saved for the last match of a long season.I really felt for Brig but despite their defeat they showed impressive 'class' and made many new friends , including me. Pulsating stuff !

Special Mention for

Hyde 2 Nuneaton 2(Conf Prem)

Very entertaining game throughout as Hyde tried to get their first home win of the season. They thought they had, when they went 2-1 up in stoppage time. Their fans were still singing, dancing and celebrating as Nunny hit straight back with a superbly taken goal with the very last kick of the game.

Buxton 1 Ilkeston 2(NPL Premier)

End to end action in this Derbyshire Derby ! Plenty of chances with Buxton leading 1-0 in the 94th minute.Buxton had been playing with nine players for twenty minutes and had been under pressure. Two minutes later the final whistle blew and they had lost when Ilson scored two quick fire goals.

The fans were still shaking their heads in disbelief as they made their way home with the sting in the tail of an intriging match.

Sheffield 4 Bedworth 4(NPL Div 1 South)

Bedworth were a player and 4-1 down with only a few minutes left and duly scored 3 goals in as many minutes, it was an extrordinary ending to an enjoyable game. Sheffield were in a state of shock as the ref blew for full time.

Worst Game of the SeasonJOINT WINNERS

Armthorpe 1 Wakefield 0

This was just awful , dull, no action, no atmosphere, a complete waste of time, utter dross all in the shadows of an overlooking major supermarket.

Worsborough Bridge 0 Cleethorpes 0 Northern Counties East

The only two highlights of this drab affair was the second minute sending off and the half-time scones (alas no plum preserve). Both teams were lucky to get 'nil' on a bitterly cold and wet evening.

There are many football blogs out there some are decent, some are not so good, sometimes you stumble upon and excellent one. I did just that a couple of seasons ago with Hopping Around Hampshire. Very well written and is a most enjoyable read and is one of a few i follow every week. Andrew has a 'fetish' not one of the more common fetishes but a 'fetish' never the less for of all things Rollers and most other ground maintenance machinery. The more bizarre the better. I must warn all groundsman in Southern England please dont try and hide or camouflage your rusty rollers because Andrew will find them every time , so trained is his rusty roller 'eye' and his prediliction. Basically nothing escapes this experienced professional proboscis.

I highly suggest you follow the link and like me enjoy following his adventures and having a good chuckle along the way.

NON LEAGUE FOOTBALL CLUB

Staff Member of the Season

Emil Anderson - Secretary

Atherton Collieries

Atherton Collieries was one of my favourite visits of the season. This gritty northern venue just oozes 'ramshackleness' and it is here that you will find Emil. Fiercely loyal to his beloved Colls, Emil is great company. Opinionated in all football matters.Emil is what Non League Football is all about and i cant wait to drop by the Colls at some point next season to enjoy another game .